Counting apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Spaced fluidic sensors serially sense relatively moving containers, the first sensor being actuated to direct fluid pressure to a counter and the second sensor being actuated to divert fluid pressure away from the counter. The counter registers one-half count in response to the fluid pressure and another one-half count when the pressure is removed.

United States Patent 7.11 Inventors Joseph Pilinghum. 3,284,614 Il/I966 Brumer r 235/92 o M511. both @I M We @llhUlih 3.241.668 woes Sohonield m1 137m s 3 A l No 85*),005 3.431238 I969 Nightingale. ZB' QUI '2" mm d Primary Examiner Rrchurdfl wilklnson f pmmw tu AsslsruntExaminer LuwrenseR Franklin |H| Asuigttet hershie hl Atmrne ==L nnG Foster SsitLuhe City Alum 3 3! il COUNTING APPARATUS AND MEIHGD s Claims, I Drawing Figs. I542 lniitfl. u 235/201 [HI luLCL. (306m '7!!! ABSTRACT: Spaced fluidic sensors serially sense relatively I Firm sure? 235/923 moving containers. the first sensor being actuated to direct 137/815 fluid pressure to a counter and the second sensor being uciu M 4 Cm ated to divert fluid pressure away from the counter The WI m ff f counter registers ono=half count in response to the fluid pres- UNITED STATES PATENTS sure and another one=haif count when the pressure is 2731M H1956 Reumtsh 235/92 removed 42 ,44 nccumon I -t/ f 51 d a u u L mssulr SEISOI sensor mumoa FLIP FLOP 78 a. 96 COUIHR 5 L 80 1? of as 92 J iNTEI FACE 7 nut m PATENTED M181 0l97l 3 598,131 0 48 PREssuRE sERsoR sERsoR REGULATOR ss \':s 'e4 82 FLIP ELRR 7s COUNTER 29 9a a as mvsmoas INTERFACE JOSEPH P. amen/m VALVE TERRY E. NISH FIG. 2

ATTORNEY BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to counters and more particularly to fluidic counting apparatus and method.

2. The Prior Art Devices which use a fluidic sensor to count passing objects have historically developed severe problems relating to count accuracy. For example, when objects such as cylindrical beverage cans are to be counted, frequently the rate at which the cans move relative to the sensor is varied over a wide range. When the cans are displaced across the sensor very slowly, or when a can come t a stop adjacent the fluid projecting from the sensor to the can begins to oscillate in the region between the sensor and the can. Oscillation of the fluid has, until this present invention, caused the counter to register counts as though the stationary can were repeatedly moving rapidly across the senor.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention, including method and apparatus, accommodates sensing passing containers at two locations, the first sensor being inactivated after initially sensing a container until the second sensor is activated to reset the first sensor. Thus, any oscillation between the first sensor and the can will have no counting effect.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel counting method and apparatus.

It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a novel fluidic counter.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in counting relation with a plurality of cylindrical cans; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the presently preferred fluidic circuit embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT General Referring now to FIG. 1, the presently preferred counting embodiment generally designated is illustrated in counting relation with a plurality of cylindrical cans 22 which, although of any desirable size, may be of the type commonly containing soft drinks, beer and the like. The cans 24 are carried in a single line along a track defined by rails 24 and 26 and chain drive housing 28. Normally, the cans rest upon a driving chain (not shown) and are displaced along the rails 24 and 26.

The counting apparatus 20 is preferably mounted upon the chain drive housing 28 such as with bolts or the like (not shown) and comprises a rectangular container 30 and a container cap 32. The container 30 has a digital readout 34 secured to the container 30 such as with screws 36. The combination of digits shown in the readout window 38 represents the total number of counts registered by the counter 20. A reset switch 40 may be manually actuated to return the readout 34 to a full zero reading.

The container 30 has two horizontally spaced apertures (not shown) through which sensors 42 and 44 project outwardly toward the row of cans 22. Sensors 42 and 44 are preferably cone-jet sensors of any suitable type. One suitable type is Part No. 300,048 manufactured by-Fluidonics.

Air pressure for operating the sensors 46 and 48 is communicated from a remote source (not shown) through conduit 50 to coupling 52. The coupling 52 conducts the fluid pressure to a regulator 54. The Fluidonics internal filter regulator Part No. 300,287 is suitable.

The regulator 54 is mounted upon the container 30 such as with a bracket 56 which is attached to the regulator 54 and secured to the container 30 such as with screws 58. Regulator 54 has a pressure gauge 60 which indicates the pressure magnitude available to the counter 20. Also, importantly, the regulator 54 has an adjusting dial 62 which controls the amount of pressure conducted from the line or conduit 50 into the counter 20.

The Fluidic Circuit Referring now to FIG. 2, the structure and operation of the fluidic circuit generally designated 66 will be described. Fluid pressure in the line 50 preferably in a range of about l5-250 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch) is communicated through the regulator 54 and, thereafter, through line 68 to pressure regulator 70. Although the pressure regulator 70 may be of any suitable type, the Clippard Regulator Model No. MAR-l is presently preferred. Regulator 70 is selectively controlled by a control knob 71 located exterior of the container 30 (see FIG. 1 so that pressure in line 74 is in a range of about 1- l 5 p.s.i.

The pressure in line 68 is also conducted to an interface valve 72 at a pressure of between 15 to I00 p.s.i. The interface valve may be of the type manufactured by Parker Hannifin Company Model No. lT-l0 and serves the function to be subsequently more fully described.

The output line 74 of the regulator 70 communicates air pressure simultaneously to the sensors 46 and 48 which, in turn, direct airflow through the cone-jet nozzles 42 and 44. When a can 22 passes to within about one-eighth of an inch from the nozzles 42 and 44, the sensors 46 and 48 will detect a back pressure. If, for example, the sensor 46 first senses a can 22, a pressure signal will be communicated through the line 76 The output line 74 of the regulator 70 communicates air pressure simultaneously to the sensors 46 and 48 which, in turn, direct airflow through the cone-jet nozzles 42 and 44. When a can 22 passes to within about one-eight of an inch from the nozzles 42 and 44, the sensors 46 and 48 will detect a back pressure. If, for example, the sensor 46 first senses a can 22, a pressure signal will be communicated through the line 76 to a control part 78 in flip-flop 80. The flip-flop 80, although of any suitable type, may be Model No. BE-240 manufactured by Parker Hannifin Company.

Air pressure in the line 74 is conducted through a crimp resistor or reducer 82 to the input port 84 of flip-flop at a pressure of about 0.7 to 5 p.s.i. Actuation of the sensor 46 will cause the signal communicated to the control port 78 to direct the fluid flow in the flip-flop 80 to the output port 86 and into the interface valve 72 through line 88. The interface valve 72 amplifies the output of the flip-flop 80 to at least l5 p.s.i. and communicates the pressure to counter 90 through line 92. Counter 90 is preferably a pneumatically actuated counter distributed by Fluidonics Division of I-T-E Imperial Corporation, Part No. 300,168. Significantly, the counter is triggered to register only one-half count by the high-pressure signal in the line 92.

When the can 22 is moved into register with nozzle 44, the sensor 48 conducts a back pressure signal through line 94 to direction port 96 in the flip-flop 80. The fluid flow at the input port 84 of the flip-flop 80 is then directed to vent 98. Upon venting the pressure at 98, air pressure in line 88 is cut off and the interface valve 72 ceases to conduct high pressure through the line 92 to the counter 90. The counter 90 responds to the sudden decrease in pressure by registering another one-half count so that as the can 22 actuates thc'second sensor 44, only a single count is registered in the counter 90.

Thus, the method of counting cans 22 with the counter 20 provides a highly accurate count even when the cans are traveling very slowly or completely at rest. For example, if a can 22 rests immediately adjacent the nozzle 42, the flip-flop 80 will be switched to direct air pressure through the output 86 to the interface valve 72. ln this position, the counter 90 will register one-half count. Even though the can 22 is stopped in front of the nozzle 42, any oscillation existing between the nozzle 42 and the can 22 will have no effect on the direction of flow of fluid through the flip-flop 80. Similarly, a can 22 positioned in register with the nozzle 44 will cause the flip-flop 80 to be switched to vent 98. Thus, low pressure will exist in the line 92 and the counter 90 will register another one-half count. Any oscillation existing between the nozzle 44 and the can 22 will have no effect on the position ofthe flip-flop 80.

This invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is, therefore. to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: y

1. Apparatus for counting a series of moving objects comprising:

first and second spaced fluidic sensors each comprising means issuing a stream of fluid into the path of the moving objects and means issuing a signal each time an object is in the associated stream of fluid; counter means; count-control means interposed between the sensors and the counter means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the first sensor to the count-control means causing a count signal to be issued from the count-control means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the second sensor to the count-control means disabling the countcontrol means and thereby preventing issuance ofa count signal from the count-control means; said counter means being in controlled communication with the count-control means registering a single count only after the occurrence of said count signal and said disabled state. 2. Apparatus for counting each container in a single row of containers comprising:

source means supplying fluid under pressure; spaced fluidic sensors; means communicating fluid derived from the source means to the fluidic sensors; each sensor having an outlet opening from which an effluent stream of fluid issues; means serially displacing the row of containers relative to the fluidic sensors first into one effluent stream of fluid and then into the other effluent stream of fluid; fluidic gate means comprising (a) influent means to which fluid pressure derived from the source means is communicated (b) spaced effluent means from which fluid pressure is selectively issued and (0) control means to which back pressure from either sensor caused by imposition of each container within the effluent stream of that sensor is communicated to select the effluent port from which fluid pressure issues;

counter means;

means communicating pressure issued from one of the two effluent means of the fluidic gate means to the counter means;

said counter means sensing fluid pressure issued from the one effluent means and subsequently sensing the lack of fluid pressure from the one effluent means and registering a single count only when a high-pressure state followed by a low-pressure state at the one effluent means has been sensed by the counter means.

3. Apparatus for counting a series of moving objects comf i r t and second spaced fluidic sensors each comprising means issuing a stream of fluid into the path of the objects moving objects and means issuing a signal each time an object is in the associated stream of fluid;

counter means;

count-control means interposed between the sensors and the counter means;

means transmitting each said signal issued from the first sensor to the count-control means causing a count signal to be issued from the count-control means to the counter means;

means transmitting each said signal issued from the second sensor to the count-control means disabling the countcontrol means and thereby preventing issuance of a count signal from the count-control means to the counter means;

said counter means sensing both a count signal and the disabled state of the count-control means and registering a single count only after sensing said count signal and said disabled state.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said count-control means comprises flip-flop means which conduct said count signals to said counter means when the first sensor is transmitting a signal and which conducts an outgoing signal away from the counter means when the second sensor is transmitting a signal.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said counter means comprises a mechanical counter responsive to changes in pressure, recording one-half count when a high-pressure condition is sensed and recording another one-half count when a low-pressure condition is sensed.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for displacing the series of objects in respect to the spaced sensors. 

1. Apparatus for counting a series of moving objects comprising: first and second spaced fluidic sensors each comprising means issuing a stream of fluid into the path of the moving objects and means issuing a signal each time an object is in the associated stream of fluid; counter means; count-control means interposed between the sensors and the counter means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the first sensor to the count-control means causing a count signal to be issued from the count-control means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the second sensor to the count-control means disabling the count-control means and thereby preventing issuance of a count signal from the count-control means; said counter means being in controlled communication with the count-control means registering a single count only after the occurrence of said count signal and said disabled state.
 2. Apparatus for counting each container in a single row of containers comprising: source means supplying fluid under pressure; spaced fluidic sensors; means communicating fluid derived from the source means to the fluidic sensors; each sensor having an outlet opening from which an effluent stream of fluid issues; means serially displacing the row of containers relative to the fluidic sensors first into one effluent stream of fluid and then into the other effluent stream of fluid; fluidic gate means comprising (a) influent means to which fluid pressure derived from the source means is communicated, (b) spaced effluent means from which fluid pressure is selectively issued and (c) control means to which back pressure from either sensor caused by imposition of each container within the effluent stream of that sensor is communicated to select the effluent port from which fluid pressure issues; counter means; means communicating pressure issued from one of the two effluent means of the fluidic gate means to the counter means; said counter means sensing fluid pressure issued from the one effluent means and subsequently sensing the lack of fluid pressure from the one effluent means and registering a single count only when a high-pressure state followed by a low-pressure state at the one effluent means has been sensed by the counter means.
 3. Apparatus for counting a series of moving objects comprising: first and second spaced fluidic sensors each comprising means issuing a stream of fluid intO the path of the objects moving objects and means issuing a signal each time an object is in the associated stream of fluid; counter means; count-control means interposed between the sensors and the counter means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the first sensor to the count-control means causing a count signal to be issued from the count-control means to the counter means; means transmitting each said signal issued from the second sensor to the count-control means disabling the count-control means and thereby preventing issuance of a count signal from the count-control means to the counter means; said counter means sensing both a count signal and the disabled state of the count-control means and registering a single count only after sensing said count signal and said disabled state.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said count-control means comprises flip-flop means which conduct said count signals to said counter means when the first sensor is transmitting a signal and which conducts an outgoing signal away from the counter means when the second sensor is transmitting a signal.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said counter means comprises a mechanical counter responsive to changes in pressure, recording one-half count when a high-pressure condition is sensed and recording another one-half count when a low-pressure condition is sensed.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 further comprising means for displacing the series of objects in respect to the spaced sensors. 